Miran Federation

The Miran Federation is a collection of Heran states and Micro-states who have aligned into a singular power block as a means to protect themselves from outside influence and interventions. The Federation has found support in the east from its neighbor Verinia, and its close ally Rea, in addition to the Cartesian Tyrian Federation to the north. Unfortunately, however, the Miran federation experiences chilled relations with the Kingdom of Hera, and Empire of Cartois.

The Miran Federation is currently locked into a conflict known locally as the "Alban Incursion" against the Kingdom of Alba, located across the strait of Alba from the Federation. The nation of Albignano is the primary combatant in this war, though the rest of the Federation is involved in the conflict as well.

History
The region known as the 'Miran Lowlands' has historically supported dozens of small states which have acted mostly independently of the large powers in the region, such as Hera, Alba, or Cartois. For most of their history these states existed in equilibrium with each other, invading, conquering, or splitting from one another frequently, and regularly.

Around the start of the sixth century NT this changed, as the major powers in the region began to unify their lands, and began to look outwards for future growth. The Miran states saw the writing on the wall as the Heran Kingdom rapidly grew, absorbing many of it smaller neighbors in the east, and as the Kingdom arose victorious from its war of colonization against Pyran, where it was finally able to secure the entirety of the Strait of Abruzzi.

In the year NT 522, the states of Albignano, Carisasca, Casolisi, and Talavà joined together in 'The Council of Amana', where these four states agreed to establish the 'Miran Federation' which would serve as a unifying force, with a rotating leadership that would help the Miran states defend themselves, and establish their legitimacy as a regional power. Shortly after, between the years NT 524 and NT 545, the states of Eredita, Iselle, Luia, Mazara, and Osilo would also join the Federation. In the year NT 727 the Federation saw the start of its largest war yet, as the Alban Kingdom launched an unprecedented, and entirely unjust invasion of Albignano, capturing the cities of Macerano, Sirano, and even the city of Amana, birth place of the Federation. Through cooperation, however, the Miran Federation has been able to halt the Alban advance, and grind the war to a bitter, but favorable stalemate.

Geography
The Miran Federation's most prominent features are a small range of mountains known as the Miran Range which cut through the nations of Carisasca, Osilo, Talavà, Albignano, and Casolisi. The Miran Range features a thin chain of rocky peaks with slowly rising foothills at their base. On the other side of the Federation, the nations of Eredita, and Iselle feature the southern reaches of the Ober-Welschen Alps, a massive range which separates the Centran region from the Heran, and Cartesian regions. The majority of the population of these nations live in the lush and fertile Ellau River Valley.

The bulk of the Federation's land exists as a wide region of forested plains and flat lands between these ranges. Mira is one of the most agriculturally productive regions of Halas, with substantial chunks of the land dedicated to the growing of Hemp, Barley, Wheat, as well as Vineyard, and Orchard. Miran Cider is considered among the best in the world, and Miran wine second only to Cartesian.

Structure
The Federation is governed by a rotating council, which currently has the Talavan Duke Tazio de Biase as its Chairman. The Federation rotates leaders every two years, with Albignano receiving the next leadership title in two years. Each nation is expected to contribute a third of its standing army to a joint command, which is led by a group of nine generals, one from each nation. In times of war, this army is intended to serve alongside the defending nations. In practice this force has experiences issues with its command structures, as conflicting orders, and a poorly established chain of command has marred its operation. Despite this, the Miran Federation's main force can raise an army of nearly 125,000 men on its own -- in addition to the remaining forces of the defending states, meaning war against Mira is far from easy.

Albignano
The Principality of Albignano is one of the founding members of the Miran Federation. Located on the coast directly across from Alba, the nation of Albignano has been locked into a decades long struggle known as the 'Alban Incursion' against its neighbor. Originally having its Capital in the city of Amana, the government of Albignano is currently based out of Camano, located in the foothills of the Miran Range. Camano currently hosts the Governing Council of the Federation, which has chosen the city as its temporary administrative center for the duration of the Alban Incursion.

Albignano's economy is primarily based off the mining and sale of iron and copper ore from the Miran range, in addition to Bread, and Beer grown in the lowlands, and fish from the Alban Strait. Albignano is ruled by a council of nobles, representing the Five Duchies of Albignano. This council democratically runs the nation, and acts as the absolute ruling body. The Five Dukes of the Council are Elio De Lauro, Cataldo Alloca, Varo Tavano, Valfrido Vilardo, and the Duchess Ilenia Zucca who acts as the Councils Chairman.

Carisasca
The Grand Duchy of Carisasca is one of the founding members of the Miran Federation, and the second smallest nation within the Federation. Located on the coast south of Albignano, Carisasca has historically acted as a vassal of the larger Albignano, but was granted its independence in NT 739 as thanks for its assistance provided to Albignano during the Alban Incursion. Unlike most other states in Mira, Carisasca contributed the entirety of its military to defending Albignano.

Carisasca is governed by the Grand Duke Andreas Carpio, whose government is based out of the capital city of Marsaglia. Carisasca is a highly religious nation, with strong ties to the church in Hera. It is often argued that the Bishop of Marsaglia, Iginio Gazzola is the true ruler of Carisasca, though Duke Carpio would surely disagree.

Casolisi
The Principality of Casolisi is one of the founding members of the Miran Federation. A historic rival of the Grand Principality of Talavà, Casolisi has developed an abnormally strong bond with their southern neighbor. Together, Casolisi and Talavà have been called the backbone of the Federation, serving in many instances as the primary peacekeepers, and mediators for conflict in the case of Casolisi, and acting as the sword of the Federation in the case of Talavà. Casolisi' capital is in the minor city of Casolisi, the namesake of the nation.

Where other nations bring steel and fire, Casolisi brings diplomacy and guile. The abnormally young Prince Virone Rossario, only 27, has built a reputation as a charmer, and Casanova. The entire nation of Casolisi has found itself swept away in his many whirlwind affairs, mostly recently with that of the daughter of Ereditan Prince Lazzaro La Spina, Lidia La Spina. This affair has caused much controversy across the Federation, as Lidia had already been engaged to an Isellan Aristocrat, but Virone's silver tongue has quelled the bulk of the ill-will, and the people of Casolisi have found themselves a joyous new tale of romance and drama to watch unfold.

Eredita
Eredita is perhaps the most mysterious, and reclusive of the Federated states. While the people of Eredita are friendly, and kind, and the nation itself is famous for the immense natural beauty of its landscape, existing almost entirely within the mountains and foothills of the Ober-Welschen Alps, the rulers of it have become a bit of an enigma. The nations Capital is the small mountain town of Lissetta.

Eredita is governed by Prince Lazzaro La Spina, head of the La Spina family, who have governed Eredita for hundreds of years. Lazzaro, much like his father Nestore, is a recluse, preferring to stay secluded in his resident at Castle Ieravala along with his family. There have been growing rumors about the La Spina family, with some of the more superstitious of the populace believing that Lazzaro has made a deal with the Devil, or that he is a Vampire, or that he has become a Warlock. These rumors have begun to die down lately however, as his Daughter and heir, Lidia La Spina has shattered the La Spina's reclusive reputation by having involved herself in a torrid, and very public affair with the Prince of Casolisi, Virone Rossario.

Iselle
The nation of Iselle with a total population just over 110,000 is the most sparsely populated in the Federation, its landmass consisting mostly of small, agricultural or pastoral communties settled in the foothills of the Unter-Weslchen Alps, and the rolling plains of the Miran Lowlands. Iselle's largest community, Verrai, consists of only 30,000 residents, and is often described as being a 'Quaint and Peaceful place', where very little happens. The nation is governed by the Duke Dalmazio Bonanni, who has gained the respect of much of the Federation for his kind-hearted nature, and calm temperament.

Iselle is one of the major breadbaskets of Mira, and Halas as a whole, and while it provides little direct military value, and being one of the most poor nations in the Federation with an economy based almost entirely on agricultural exports, Iselle has come to be considered one of the most vital, and core components of the Federation, as it provides for the alliance nearly a third of its food stuffs, despite accounting for only a fraction of its population.

Luia
The March of Luia exists on the farthest border of the Federation, sharing a norther border with Rea, and an eastern with Verinia, in addition to the fellow Federated state of Iselle to the south. Luia is considered to be a rather problematic state within the Federation, as it is governed by the young, but arrogant Marquis Vidiano Nicole La Bella-Gotti (Sometimes referred to as 'Prince', rather than Marquis). Marquis Bella-Gotti, who descends from a prominent Heran Noble House, has developed a reputation as a war hawk within the Federation, and have often times protested the Federal Council to enforce Luia's land claims in the adjacent Rean and Verinian nations. Thus far the Council has rejected the Marquis' demands.

Luia itself is a highly urbanized nation, with a abnormally high population of over 80,000 in its Capital of Torra. Additionally Luia is the second most militarized state within the Federation, though this is out of necessity rather than the historic and cultural militarism seen in Talavà. Luia is additionally the only member of the Federation which lies entirely within the Centran Region, rather than the Miran Low or Highlands, and as such is suffering from the present Rean Phage Crisis. This is considered one of the primary reason why Luia is both abnormally urbanized, and militarized. Additionally, travel on the roads alone is highly advised against, and travel through the Centran region, especially near Rea, is recommended only in large groups and caravans.

Mazara
The Free City of Mazara was the last entry into the Federation, joining it in NT 545. Mazara consists mostly of the City of Mazara (population 150,000) which is the second largest city in Mira, just behind Raossi in Talavà, and the hinterlands around the city, including several small villages, and the town of Valletti. Mazara is one of the richest nations in the Federation, with several large Patrician families, and independent companies operating out of the city. Mazara is sometimes referred to as 'The City of the Guilds' for the dozens of guilds and companies which operating within the city walls. The hinterlands of Mazara are comprised mostly of open fields, mostly utilized as grain fields, simple hamlets, and sprawling old growth forests.

Mazara is governed by a system of direct democracy, where public petitions are brought to the city forum every Sunday, and voted on by a public ballot. Though the city of Mazara does retain some representative figures, such as the Steward, Ciriaco Bari, and the Chancellor Fiorella di Felice, these individuals powers are limited simply to the collect of taxes, and foreign policy respectively and may be overruled, or expelled from office by public vote at any time. In reality, the system of governance in Mazara is far from free, however, as only land holding citizens may vote, and these votes are often bought and sold by the many powerful guilds in the city, who seek the keep The Free City of Mazara a place favorable for business.

Osilo
The Serene Republic of Osilo is one of the founding members of the Miran Federation. Governed by an elected body know as the 'Directory Committee' -- though only those of the nations most senior patrician families may run. Osilo is what one would call a 'Merchant Republic', The Merchants of Osilo are primarily responsible for trade within the Miran Federation, with their caravans hauling goods from across the Federation, and maintaining strong trade ties in Verinia, Rea, Hera, and the Tyrian Federation. Many in the Federation consider Osilo to be a somewhat problematic state, however, as corruption in the government runs rampant. Presently Patrician Remolo Vellucci sits as Acting Director of Osilo's Directory Committee.

While the Capital of the nation, the City of Osilo itself, is a relatively safe and crime free place, there exist a number of powerful criminal syndicates who operate out of the city. These criminal syndicates, such as the Rigali and De Lisi crime families have established operations across the Federation, and have benefitted greatly from the corrupt Osilian government whom they can easily bribe to ignore them. While some efforts have been made to clean up Osilo's politics, such as by the Patrician Giovenzio Certo, of the Certo family, these efforts usually end in disaster as did Giovenzio's with his assassination during the Osilo Directory Election.

Talavà
Talavà is the second largest, and one of the founding members of the Miran Federation. Formerly ruled by the powerful and greatly feared Montanari family, the present day family, headed by Queen of Talavà Cordelia Montanari has long since lost the majority of its power over the nation. Instead Cordelia serves as a widely beloved figurehead and diplomat for the nation. In her stead, the role of governing Talavà has been transferred to a Parliament representing the Dukes and Counts of Talavà, with the powerful Duke Tazio 'Del Toro' De Biase acting as the present Prime Minister, and the charismatic Asella D'Aiuto leading the opposition. It's Capital is the city of Raossi, a magnificent city featuring the largest cathedral in the Federation. Raossi is the largest city in Mira, with a population of 150,000.

Talavà is a historically militarized power, being the most powerful nation in the region. Today it provides the majority of its army to collective Miran force, and is responsible for nearly half of the troops committed. Outside viewers into the Federation have often claimed that the Miran Federation is little more than a slow motion coup by Talavà to gain massive control and influence over its neighbors. Talavà has historically butted heads against many of the other nations in the Federation, especially Albignano, and Casolisi, though it has now found itself defending these very nations it once called its rivals, leaving some rather complicated feelings for the citizens of all nations involved.